Pie-maker’s horror at game meat ‘mistake’

A PREESALL piemaker who was ordered by the court to destroy her meat says it was a case of “misplaced trust”.

Shirley Begley of Shirley’s Pies admits not checking the licence of the company she was buying game from thoroughly and says “it’s a mistake I won’t be making again”.

It comes after Wyre Council’s public health department successfully applied for the condemnation and destruction of 2.5 kilos of game meat because it came from a company which was not registered as game handlers.

It was found on a routine inspection of the Preesall premises.

But Mrs Begley explains buying the game meat was just an experiment and she has now completely disassociated herself with the company.

“I’m a very passionate about my pies and always want to do the best for my customers so I was horrified when I found this out,” she said.

“I bought the game meat to see what it was like and handed it out to some friends and family but that was it, the pies weren’t sold to any customers. It was a case of misplaced trust as I thought they were a reputable comapny.”

Mrs Begley says she wants nothing more to do with the Lancashire business she bought the game meat from, which is currently being investigated by Wyre council.

She said: “The meat supplied to make our pies is sourced from local businesses that have high standards of quality and preparation.

“I thought it would be a good thing to do to use a local game suppliers but I should have checked that they were registered and it’s a mistake I won’t be making again.”

Following the inspection, Blackpool Magistrates Court ruled Mrs Begley would have to pay £100 court costs and £25 towards the destruction of the game meat.